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Kyle Washington Secures Season-Best Second-Place GT America Finish Sunday in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R at COTA

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  • Late Caution Cuts Short Washington’s Challenge for the Lead After Battling for The Victory from the Drop of the Green Flag in Sunday’s Second and Final 40-Minute GT America Powered by AWS Sprint
  • James Sofronas Leads Saturday and Joins Washington on the Podium Sunday in the No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO2 Only to be Sidetracked by Aero Issues and Hit with a Restart Penalty

AUSTIN, Texas (May 19, 2024) – Kyle Washington capped a competitive and milestone month of May with a season-best second-place finish Sunday in his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R in the second and final 40-minute GT America powered by AWS race of the weekend at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

Building on a sixth-place finish in Saturday’s first GT America sprint, Washington started fifth on Sunday and began a run to the front from the start. The front runners scrambled when the outside front row starter overshot Turn 1, and Washington jumped to fourth and then passed series veteran Johnny O’Connell in the fast downhill run into Turn 2. Washington then passed his current coach, friend and teammate James Sofronas in the No. 14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO2 a few laps later to move into second.

“Circuit of The Americas is one of my favorite tracks, if not my favorite,” Washington said. “Everything is bigger here, the GMG Racing guys set up the car in tip-top shape, and on Sunday I found myself running up front with Johnny O’Connell and James. Johnny O was one of my very first coaches, and obviously I now work with James everyday, so there is no bigger goal than to get in front of those two, and I had an opportunity to do that today. It felt amazing!”

With Sofronas racing as Washington’s “wing man” in third just ahead of O’Connell, Washington immediately took the fight to the leader but a string of late caution incidents interrupted the battle for first and ended the race under caution.

“The number one goal of our racing program, and one of my top priorities with our customers, is driver development,” said Sofronas, GMG Racing Founder and Team Principal. “Whatever I can do to help them along and expedite the process and learning curve, that’s what I will do, and I noticed Kyle had significant pace on Sunday. I wanted to give him a chance to chase down the leader and I covered his back when we were racing on track. Kyle was nipping at the leader’s heels, and with a little more time I think he could have won the race. We are at mid-season, but I am only doing select races and really helping Kyle develop. To see him get a P2 overall was really a win in my book. It was a victory for our program and what we are trying to do.”

Sofronas crossed the finish line in third and joined Washington on the podium only to be assessed, along with O’Connell and several others, a restart procedure penalty that dropped him down in the finishing order. Sunday’s disappointment followed another heartbreaker in Saturday’s race when Sofronas held the lead only to be slowed by a loose aerodynamic diffuser under the back of the car. Sofronas nursed the stricken Audi to the finish to salvage a fourth-place finish.

“We had pace on Saturday to win,” Sofronas said. “We had it covered up front, but in racing things happen, and we had a diffuser come loose while leading. The car was basically undriveable, but we still held on for fourth place. On Sunday, we had decent pace and made it to the podium with Kyle but later were hit with a restart penalty that I thought was somewhat questionable. In the end, it is all about customers and how they finished. Overall, I am happy with the results from the weekend.”

In addition to the GT America success, Washington also co-drove with coach and first-year co-driver Tom Sargent in the COTA weekend’s 90-minute Fanatec GT World Challenge America races in the Type 992 No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R. Both drivers and the GMG Racing team continued to make progress and learn the Type 992 Porsche with a weekend-best seventh-place result Saturday in the just the third GT World Challenge race weekend together for Washington and Sargent.

Washington and Sargent combined for a pair of fourth-place Pro-Am finishes in the GT World Challenge races preceding COTA two weeks ago at Sebring International Raceway. The season-best GT World Challenge finishes began a three-week May stretch of top results for Washington that included Sunday’s runner-up finish at COTA and a Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West Masters class victory in a GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car at Utah Motorsports Campus last weekend.

Next up for GMG Racing is the IMSA Carrera Cup doubleheader at the Canadian Grand Prix Formula 1 race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, June 7 – 9.

Washington will drive the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the Masters Class while Ofir Levy and Sofronas compete in the Pro-Am division in Montreal. Levy looks to build on a solid seventh place finish in his Carrera Cup debut earlier this month at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix in His No. 3 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Sofronas wheels the same No. 14 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup he drove to the Pro-Am victory in the season-opening race in Sebring in March.

About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a 30,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility located in Santa Ana, California in Orange County and with a trackside motorsports facility at 28,000 sq. ft. currently being built at The Thermal Club. The staff, attention to detail, and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped us support our customers to the highest level possible. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona and Spa, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

RECAP: Wright Motorsports Porsche Squad Keeps Podium Streak Alive in Austin Heat

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AUSTIN, Tex., (May 19, 2024) – Amid hot and humid weather conditions at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, Wright Motorsports continued their podium streak in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America series, earning their sixth podium finish in six races. This made it a successful weekend for the Porsche team, strengthening their standing as the championship points leaders with Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer behind the wheel of the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R race car.

“The heat in Texas really tested the entire paddock this weekend,” said Team Owner John Wright. “As always, the men and women of Wright Motorsports put up with the hot conditions and delivered a strong points weekend. Adam and Elliott are having a great debut in the PRO class, and it’s a testament to them as drivers, as well as the team supporting them.”

Race one of the two-race weekend started in the heat of the day on Saturday afternoon. Adelson took the green flag from fourth place intent on bringing the green and yellow machine to the mid-race driver change in the top-five. Turn one at COTA delivered its normal calamity, and the ripple effect of one car’s incident impacted the Wright Motorsports No. 120 Porsche, spinning Adelson out of his strong grid spot. He was able to continue and rejoined third in class. He regained some ground early, working his way through the Pro/Am field. He ended his stint in third place and pitted during the mandatory window to give the car over to Skeer. The No. 120 rejoined the race with a full load of fuel and new tires. Skeer immediately found himself engaged in a battle for second place with Varun Choksey and his BMW. The pair’s battle kept fans on the each of their seats, with tight and close racing happening at every turn. Just after Skeer made the pass to take the position, the Porsche suffered contact in the rear, and eventually lost its entire diffuser. Thankfully, the piece of downforce bodywork separated from the car, allowing Skeer to avoid an extra pit stop. He sailed to the finish line, and Wright Motorsports secured its fifth podium result of the season.

With repairs made overnight by the Ohio-based race team, Skeer started race two from pole position in class – fourth overall – with the race start again coming at the hottest point of the day on Sunday afternoon. He had initial pressure from the No. 85 of Trent Hindman, but stayed ahead, continuing to lead the PRO class. Skeer pitted during the mandatory window, and Adelson joined the race in the lead with 38 minutes remaining. Up ahead, a pair of Pro/Am BMWs led the field, but their own back and forth battle allowed Adelson to reel them in. Pro driver Alec Udell also inched up to the leaders and had a good battle with Adelson for position. The Wright driver put up a strong fight, but in the end, finished a close second place to the far more experienced driver, making it a solid points gathering weekend for the team in the championship standings.

With the weekend concluded, the series will have a 60-day break, resuming for Rounds 7 and 8 at VIRginia International Raceway, July 19-21.

DRIVER QUOTES

Adam Adelson

The car was incredible. It was amazing to drive with the proper aero set up, not missing a diffuser or a broken front end. The team was perfect with the strategy. It plays a bigger part in the races than a lot of people think. We had some AC and drink bottle issues that made it really difficult for us, but I’m super happy with the way I drove. Elliott did an amazing job, and I couldn’t be more proud of the overall result. To even be able to fight Alec Udell is an awesome thing for me and I couldn’t be happier… well, I could be a little happier, but that’s asking a lot.

Elliott Skeer

All in all, it was a tough but rewarding weekend. Ultimately, we came out of the weekend strong. We thought the 911 GT3 R was going to be a strong car here. It definitely was, but we left a percent on the table and we’re going to be hungry to come back next time. We raced as well as we could. Today was a hot one in the car. I’m super proud of how Adam drove with Alec Udell and the other Pro drivers. He drove a fantastic stint. I can’t wait to get back in the air conditioning and enjoy a little bit of champagne with the team.

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

2024 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Field Notes

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Indianapolis, IN - during practice for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Jones | IMS Photo)

INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, May 19, 2024) – Facts and figures about the starting field for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

  • Scott McLaughlin earned his first career Indianapolis 500 pole. He is the first New Zealand native and the second New Zealand citizen to win a pole for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Scott Dixon, who is a New Zealand citizen but was born in Australia, has won five Indianapolis 500 poles.
  • Scott McLaughlin’s best qualifying position in three previous Indianapolis 500 starts was 14th in 2023.
  • Scott McLaughlin produced the fastest four-lap average speed in history for an Indianapolis 500 pole winner, 234.220 mph. The previous record was 234.217 set in 2023 by Alex Palou. Arie Luyendyk set the all-time four-lap qualifying average speed record of 236.986 in 1996, but his run came on the second day of qualifications and wasn’t eligible for the pole.
  • Team Penske earned its record-extending 19th Indianapolis 500 pole. The team’s last pole was delivered by Simon Pagenaud in 2019. Team Penske also has a record 19 Indianapolis 500 victories.
  • Team Penske swept the front row for the Indianapolis 500 for just the second time in Indianapolis 500 history, with Scott McLaughlin on pole, Will Power second and Josef Newgarden third. Team Penske first achieved the feat in 1988 with Rick Mears on pole, Danny Sullivan second and Al Unser third.
  • In 1988, pole sitter Rick Mears drove a yellow Pennzoil-sponsored car, No. 2 starter Danny Sullivan was a one-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, and No. 3 starter Al Unser was the defending winner of the “500.” This year, Scott McLaughlin drives a Pennzoil-sponsored car, No. 2 starter Will Power is a one-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, and No. 3 starter Josef Newgarden is the defending winner of the “500.”
  • Chevrolet-powered drivers earned the first eight starting spots this year. The last time one manufacturer earned as many of the top starting spots was 2013, when Chevy took the top 10 starting positions.
  • This is the 10th time car No. 3 has won the Indianapolis 500 pole. The last time was 2010 with Helio Castroneves of Team Penske. Car No. 1 has won the pole a record 13 times.
  • This is the second-fastest starting field in Indianapolis 500 history, with an average speed of 231.943 mph. The record of 232.184 mph was set last year.
  • This is the second-fastest front row in Indianapolis 500 history, with an average speed of 233.981 mph. The record of 234.181 mph was set last year.
  • Kyle Larson turned the fastest qualifying lap by a rookie in Indianapolis 500 history, 233.453 mph on the first lap of his Top 12 Qualifying attempt. The previous record was 233.297 by Benjamin Pedersen in 2023.
  • Kyle Larson recorded the second-fastest four-lap qualifying average by a rookie in Indianapolis 500 history, 232.846 mph. The record is 233.100 set by Tony Stewart in 1996.
  • There are eight former Indianapolis 500 winners in the starting field: Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021), Scott Dixon (2008), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Takuma Sato (2017, 2020), Will Power (2018), Marcus Ericsson (2022) and Josef Newgarden (2023). Between them, they have 12 victories. The record for most former winners in the field is 10, in 1992. The fewest, other than the inaugural race in 1911, is zero in 1912.
  • There are six rookies in the field: Kyle Larson (starting fifth), Marcus Armstrong (16th), Kyffin Simpson (18th), Christian Rasmussen (24th), Tom Blomqvist (25th) and Linus Lundqvist (27th).
  • Other than the six rookies, Pietro Fittipaldi is the only driver in the field who didn’t start the race in 2023. Fittipaldi’s last start was in 2021.
  • Helio Castroneves is the most experienced driver in the field, with 23 previous Indianapolis 500 starts. The record is 35, set in consecutive years from 1958-1992 by A.J. Foyt.
  • Scott Dixon has led 665 career laps in the Indianapolis 500, the all-time event record. The only other driver in the field who has led more than 200 laps is Helio Castroneves (326).
  • The oldest driver in the starting field is Helio Castroneves, 49 years, 16 days on Race Day. The youngest driver is Kyffin Simpson, 19 years, 230 days. A.J. Foyt is the oldest driver to start the Indianapolis 500. He was 57 years, 128 days old when he made his last start in 1992. A.J. Foyt IV is the youngest driver to start the Indianapolis 500. His 19th birthday was on Race Day, 2003.
  • Helio Castroneves will be older on Race Day than Al Unser when he became the oldest winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1987 at age 47 years, 360 days old.
  • Kyffin Simpson will be younger on Race Day than Troy Ruttman when he became the youngest winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1952 at age 22 years, 80 days old.
  • Twenty different drivers in this year’s field have led a total of 2,279 laps in previous Indianapolis 500s.
  • There are a combined 222 previous Indianapolis 500 starts among the 33 drivers in this year’s field. The record is 260 years of experience, set in 1987 and 1992. There were 235 years of combined experience in last year’s field.
  • The most-experienced row in this year’s starting lineup is Row 7, with a combined 62 career starts (Marco Andretti 18, Helio Castroneves 23, Scott Dixon 21). The least-experienced rows are Rows 8 and 9, with two combined career starts (Row 8: Agustin Canapino 1, Sting Ray Robb 1, Christian Rasmussen 0; Row 9; Tom Blomqvist 0, Romain Grosjean 2, Linus Lundqvist 0).
  • There are seven former Indianapolis 500 Rookies of the Year in this year’s field. The record is nine, in 1991 and 2021.

Toyota Gazoo Racing North America NHRA Joliet Post-Race Report – 05.19.24

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BROWN VICTORIOUS AT ROUTE 66 NATIONALS FOR 75TH CAREER WIN
Toyota earns seventh consecutive Top Fuel victory

JOLIET, Ill. (May 19, 2024) – On a hot, slick Sunday in Joliet, Illinois, Antron Brown took home his first Wally Trophy of 2024 at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals. The win by Brown marks the 75th of his historic career, as well as his sixth overall NHRA win at Route 66 Raceway. Brown’s triumph is also the seventh consecutive Top Fuel win for Toyota, dating back to November 2023.

Brown defeated Toyota teammate Shawn Langdon in the finals Sunday evening, which was Langdon’s 52nd career final round appearance. Steve Torrence and Justin Ashley also advanced out of the first round for Team Toyota, only to both be defeated by Brown on his way to victory.

In Funny Car, Alexis DeJoria advanced the furthest of the Toyota GR Supras Sunday afternoon, falling to John Force in the second round. J.R. Todd and Ron Capps were defeated in round one.

With the final round appearances by Brown and Langdon in Top Fuel, Toyota has now reached the finals in 29 consecutive NHRA events.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series
Route 66 NHRA Nationals
Route 66 Raceway
Race 6 of 20

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS 

NameCarFinal ResultRound-by-Round
Antron BrownMatco Tools Toyota Top Fuel DragsterWinnerW (4.113) v. J. Salinas (No Time) W (3.891) v. J. Ashley (5.081) W (3.894) v. S. Torrence (5.467) W (3.838) v. S. Langdon (3.869)
Shawn LangdonFuture Energy Solutions Toyota Top Fuel DragsterFinalistW (3.801) v. C. Krohn (3.930) W (3.866) v. S. Reed (4.317) W (3.764) v. D. Mercier (4.972) L (3.869) v. A. Brown (3.838)
Steve TorrenceCAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel DragsterSemi-finalsW (3.838) v. B. Torrence (3.904) W (3.854) v. C. Millican (3.894) L (5.467) v. A. Brown (3.894)
Justin AshleySCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel DragsterSecond RoundW (3.827 – holeshot) v. D. Kalitta  (3.790) L (5.081) v. A. Brown (3.891)
Doug KalittaApplied Innovation Toyota Top Fuel DragsterFirst RoundL (3.790) v. J. Ashley (3.827 – holeshot)
Billy TorrenceCAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel DragsterFirst RoundL (3.904) v. S. Torrence (3.838)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS 

NameCarFinal ResultRound-by-Round
Alexis DeJoriaBandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny CarSecond RoundW (4.166) v. J. Todd (9.674) L (4.237) v. J. Force (4.008)
J.R. ToddDHL Toyota GR Supra Funny CarFirst RoundL (9.674) v. A. DeJoria (4.166)
Ron CappsNAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra Funny CarFirst RoundL (4.650) v. M. Hagan (4.087)

*= Non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, AB Motorsports

TF Final Result: Winner

What was the key to victory today?

“You have to step up when you race a team like that over there (Shawn Langdon, Kalitta Motorsports). We knew it was going to be a crazy final, and we know what they ran – a 3.82, 3.83. But first off, all the glory goes to God. For Don Schumacher, our boss, our guy that got us all out here, dedicated this to him and his family. We had a special memorial this weekend for him. Another that’s down, we’re missing our crew guy, Alex. Alex, you know what’s going on man. This is for your dad. We love you, we miss you. This is special for Matco Tools, Lucas Oil, all our sponsors. Summit Racing, Sirius XM, Toyota, FVP, everybody. We love all of these people and thanks for making it happen. And thanks to the fans here in Chicago. It feels good to be back here at Route 66 Raceway. What a blessing for win No. 75 and it’s true blessing to be on this team. And God gets all the glory.”

SHAWN LANGDON, Future Energy Solutions Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

TF Final Result: Finalist

Take us through your day today, reaching the final round.

“It was a good day. The Future Energy Solutions Toyota team made great runs out here on a very tricky race track with the hot conditions. It was probably one of our first true tests of a summer track with a lot of UV. We made great runs but just missed it a little bit in the final and didn’t give the track enough credit. It started cooling off, and Antron (Brown) made a good run. We’ll take the runner-up spot – we’re very pleased with that for Future Energy Solutions, Revchem, Safety Kleen and everybody at Kalitta Air. It’s good to see this car going rounds again after a tough couple of races. The car qualified well and maintained well on race day so we’re looking forward to heading to Epping.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. 

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro

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NASCAR All-Star Race – North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro, NC – May 19, 2024

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 KEYSTONE LIGHT FORD MUSTANG

START (All-Star Open): 6TH FINISH (All-Star Open): 20TH

RACE RUNDOWN (All-Star Open): After extraordinary rainfall cascaded over North Wilkesboro Speedway Saturday, clear skies and warm temperatures greeted teams Sunday afternoon for the NASCAR All-Star Open, including Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Keystone Light Ford Mustang, who started the event from the sixth position. Determined to race his way into the 200-lap main event, Cindric marched forward early, taking over the third position less than 10 laps in. Unfortunately, shortly after the restart on Lap 59, Cindric was turned into the wall, causing heavy damage to the Team Penske car that led to lengthy repairs on pit road. As a result, Cindric was unable to race his way into the All-Star Race.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Unfortunate to get collected and lose our shot at racing our way into the All-Star Race. Our No. 2 Keystone Light Ford Mustang had speed, but we obviously weren’t able to capitalize on it after the damage. We’ll regroup and turn our focus to the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/WRANGLER FORD MUSTANG

START: 17TH FINISH: 5TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Wrangler Ford Mustang came away with a fifth-place finish in Sunday night’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway after starting 17th in the 20-car field. Following an early caution on lap two, the 12-team was one of five to stay out as the rest of the field hit pit road to put on four primary tires, vaulting Blaney to fifth in the running order for the ensuing restart. Blaney reached third on the leaderboard by lap 30 before crossing the line fourth at the time of the scheduled caution on lap 100. With all teams mandated to make a four-tire stop under caution, crew chief Jonathan Hassler called for four fresh soft option tires before lining up for the restart from the outside of row two. After a lengthy battle with the No. 11 following the restart, Blaney made the to take second away and set his sights on the lead. The final scheduled caution of the night on lap 150 saw the No. 12 team opt to stay on the track for what was the eventual final restart as Blaney took the green from the inside of row one. Blaney was shuffled out of line in the opening laps of the run, relegating him to fifth in the running order where he was ultimately scored at the time of the checkered flag.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “It was an alright race. We knew we had to be creative to get up through there and we did a good job in the first caution when a lot of guys came up and put yellows on. We left the reds on and that’s how we got our track position, and then we had to leave them on until the end and actually held on alright. I didn’t get a very good restart on the front row, and then I about spun out into one and that lost me second and lost me third and then I’m just trying to make it back up, although I probably could have run about third. Overall, not a bad night from where we started.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

START: 1ST FINISH: 1ST

RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano led a NASCAR All-Star Race record 199-of-200 laps to win at North Wilkesboro Sunday night in dominant fashion, marking his second-career All-Star Race victory (Charlotte, 2016). Logano becomes the third Ford driver to win multiple All-Star races, joining Davey Allison and Mark Martin as he took home the $1 million payday. After starting from the pole, the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang led the entirety of the opening 100-lap segment before mandatory, four-tire pit stops were made under caution. Crew chief Paul Wolfe called for four soft option tires and the 22-team reeled off a fast stop in its only opportunity of the night as Logano won the race off pit road. Logano was locked into a battle for the lead with the No. 20 on the ensuing restart, culminating in a three-wide battle that saw the No. 22 come away as the leader. Logano led all the way through the scheduled caution on lap 150 when Wolfe kept the Shell-Pennzoil Ford on track to maintain the lead heading into the final run of the night. Logano battled the No. 11 for the top spot in the opening laps of the run before distancing himself from the field and leading the rest of the way en route to his second-career All-Star Race victory.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “A lot of fun when you’ve got a car this fast. The Shell-Pennzoil Mustang, it’s just so great to get in Victory Lane. All of our sponsors and everyone who stuck with us to get a win, it feels nice. It’s been a while. I wish it was for points, but a million bucks is still a lot of money and I feel great about that.”

The NASCAR Cup Series takes on the longest race of the season next Sunday, May 26, at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the running of the Coca-Cola 600. The 400-lap event is set for 6:00 p.m. ET with coverage on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

RCR NCS Race Recap: North Wilkesboro Speedway

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Austin Dillon and the No. 3 SENIX Tools Chevrolet Team Make Short Track Gains in All-Star Open Race

Finish: 9th
Start: 15th

“We gave it all we had. Our No. 3 SENIX Chevrolet was really fast, and I enjoyed racing on the newly-paved North Wilkesboro Speedway. This track is fun to race! We had the fastest lap in qualifying but, unfortunately, we had to start back in 15th after the session was canceled due to inclement weather. Our SENIX Tools Chevrolet was fast to start the race, and we were on a mission because we knew we had to finish in the top-two in order to advance into the All-Star Race. We made our way forward into the top-10 with 50 laps to go. We decided to put yellow tires on, and everyone in front of us took reds. We were hoping that because of that, they would fade, but it didn’t happen fast enough. We were making a pretty good charge at the end, but there just wasn’t enough time and we lost too much ground on the hard tires on takeoff. Would have liked to have seen what happened with reds because they got to beating and banging up front and I think we could have taken advantage of that. We learned a lot that we can take to the short tracks coming up. I think this is a big win for RCR and our short track program, so hopefully we can take what we learned, apply it and have some better runs moving forward.” -Austin Dillon

Wild Night Under the Lights for Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Lenovo Chevrolet Team in North Wilkesboro Speedway’s All-Star Race

Finish: 10th
Start: 14th

“It was an eventful All-Star Race in the Lenovo Chevrolet. The first lap of the race we didn’t even have water temperature in the car yet and we were wrecking each other off Turn 2. We were able to continue on, but I’m getting tired of getting run over by everybody. We got into another incident later in the race with the No. 54 car. He got his tires hot and checked up early and I didn’t check up early, so that was my fault. Crew chief Randall Burnett and all the guys did a good job making adjustments to our Chevy and choosing tires to help with the handling throughout the race. We were able to pick up a few spots in that last 40-lap run and come away with a 10th-place finish.” -Kyle Busch

Joey Logano Takes Ford To Victory in NASCAR All-Star Race

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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
All-Star Race | Sunday, May 19, 2024

JOEY LOGANO WINS SECOND CAREER ALL-STAR RACE

  • Joey Logano won the NASCAR All-Star Race for the second time in his career tonight (2016).
  • Logano led 199-of-200 laps, which is the most ever in a NASCAR All-Star Race.
  • He becomes the third Ford driver to win multiple All-Star Races, joining Davey Allison and Mark Martin.
  • Ford has now won the NASCAR All-Star Race 14 times and twice in the last three seasons.

Ford Finishing Results:
1st – Joey Logano
3rd – Chris Buescher
5th – Ryan Blaney
9th – Michael McDowell
11th – Noah Gragson
16th – Brad Keselowski

JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse – VICTORY LANE INTERVIEW – HOW FUN WAS THAT? “A lot of fun when you’ve got a car this fast. The Shell/Pennzoil Mustang, it’s just so great to get in Victory Lane. All of our sponsors and everyone who stuck with us to get a win, it feels nice. It’s been a while. I wish it was for points, but a million bucks is still a lot of money and I feel great about that.”

THOUGHTS ON THE OPTION TIRE AND GOING 100 LAPS? “Well, we did the first 100, so why wouldn’t it last the second 100. That was our thought, so it was definitely an aggressive strategy, but it worked out good.”

ROGER PENSKE PUT A CAR ON THE POLE AT INDIANAPOLIS AND YOU WIN TONIGHT. THAT’S A PRETTY GOOD DAY. “You said it. Not a bad day.”

CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “We stayed on reds all night, so that worked out pretty good for us. I’m really proud of our team. Friday wasn’t very good to be straight up about it and they worked really hard and pulled some strings, hit some buttons and got us a whole lot better for tonight, so I was proud of that to bring our Fastenal Mustang home third. I felt like we had a decent shot at it there. I was able to pace the 22 pretty good, but there at the end just took too long to get around the 5 car and really didn’t have sight of the leaders at that point. It’s a good night on a night where only one position matters. I’m proud of the group. It’s good to keep our momentum up and we’ll go onto the 600 and go win us one.”

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE MOMENTUM YOU HAVE GOING WITH THE 600 COMING UP? “I’m pumped for it. That’s a track that was really good for us last year. We led laps and got a stage win at a time of the year where we hadn’t hit our stride, so that speaks volumes for us going into it. I’m pumped. Momentum is just a product of running good and being on our game and our team has done a fantastic job. Again, I couldn’t be more proud of them. Tonight, I wanted two more, but this is a heck of a way to lead us right into the 600 next weekend.”

RYAN BLANEY, No. 12 Menards/Wrangler Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “It was an alright race. We knew we had to be creative to get up through there and we did a good job in the first caution when a lot of guys came up and put yellows on. We left the reds on and that’s how we got our track position, and then we had to leave them on until the end and actually held on alright. I didn’t get a very good restart on the front row, and then I about spun out into one and that lost me second and lost me third and then I’m just trying to make it back up, although I probably could have run about third. Overall, not a bad night from where we started.”

NOAH GRAGSON, No. 10 Overstock Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “We started in the back and got a lap down early, but got the lucky dog and came back to 11th. We just never got a handle on the balance all weekend. We were pretty loose in, so we need to go back and do our homework on this place. It’s tough. It’s a new place, but we’re a better race team than we showed all weekend. I’m certainly grateful for the fan support to allow us the opportunity to get in the All-Star Race. It was a fun weekend overall, but we just kind of struggled. It seemed like the soft tire was better for our car than the hard tire for whatever reason that is, but I’m just super grateful.”

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES ALL-STAR RACE WINNERS

1986 – Bill Elliott (Atlanta)

1991 – Davey Allison (Charlotte)

1992 – Davey Allison (Charlotte)

1994 – Geoffrey Bodine (Charlotte)

1996 – Michael Waltrip (Charlotte)

1998 – Mark Martin (Charlotte)

2002 – Ryan Newman (Charlotte)

2004 – Matt Kenseth (Charlotte)

2005 – Mark Martin (Charlotte)

2011 – Carl Edwards (Charlotte)

2016 – Joey Logano (Charlotte)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (Charlotte)

2022 – Ryan Blaney (Texas)

2024 – Joey Logano (North Wilkesboro)

Rick Ware Racing: All-Star Race from North Wilkesboro

By
Official Release
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RICK WARE RACING
All-Star Open and All-Star Race

Date: May 19, 2024
Event: NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race (non-points events)
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway (.625-mile oval)
NASCAR All-Star Open: 100 laps, with a competition break at or around lap 50

● Race Winner: Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
● Second Place: Bubba Wallace Jr. of 23XI Racing (Toyota)
● Fan Vote Winner: Noah Gragson of Stewart-Haas Racing (Ford)

Note:The All-Star Open was the undercard event to the NASCAR All-Star Race, where non-qualified drivers attempted to race their way into the All-Star Race by winning the Open, finishing second in the Open, or by winning the fan vote.

NASCAR All-Star Race: 200 laps, with competition breaks at or around lap 100 and lap 150

● Race Winner: Joey Logano of Team Penske (Ford)

Note: The NASCAR All-Star Race was comprised of drivers who won a points-paying race in 2023 or 2024, fulltime drivers who have previously won the All-Star Race, fulltime drivers who have won a NASCAR Cup Series championship, and drivers who advanced from the All-Star Open.

RWR Race Finish in the All-Star Open:

● Justin Haley (Started 16th, Finished 4th/ Running, completed 100 of 100 laps)
● Kaz Grala (Started 18th, Finished 11th/ Running, completed 100 of 100 laps)

RWR Notes:

● Haley was vying for his second All-Star Race appearance. He competed in the 2020 All-Star Race by virtue of his 2019 win at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and finished 14th.

● Haley’s fourth-place finish was one spot short of tying his best All-Star Open finish – third earned in 2022.

● This was Grala’s first career All-Star Open.

● Both RWR cars qualified in the top-five prior to the session being interrupted by rain while the final two cars were on track. The field was set by points according to the rule book.

Race Notes:

● Logano won the All-Star Race with a .636 of second margin of victory over runner-up Denny Hamlin.

● This was Ford’s 14th win in the All-Star Race.

● The All-Star Race featured two lead changes among two different drivers. Twenty drivers comprised the field.

Sound Bites:

“We had a good car. I wish we could have started where we qualified in second, but all around it was a good day for us. We’ll keep riding this momentum. We’ve brought fast race cars every week, so we’ll just keep going with it. I had a lot of fun, especially on the red tires. We had a little more grip so I could move quicker to make things happen, but they wear out a little more. It was just hard to pass so it was nice to have that option to make up some ground.”– Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 Pinnacle Home Improvements Ford Mustang Dark Horse

“It was cool to have as much speed as we had this weekend. We got shuffled back on the last restart, and still drove back up to 11th. Both of our RWR cars were top-five on pace in the Open and I think both of us would have had a great chance to transfer if we had lined up in order of qualifying. We’ve had a lot of potential lately, and it’s exciting every week when we show up to the racetrack. I like the momentum that we have heading into the Coca-Cola 600.” – Kaz Grala, driver of the No. 15 Remixers.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Next Up:

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to points-paying racing on Sunday, May 26 with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The longest race on the series’ schedule gets underway at 6 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Toyota Racing – NCS North Wilkesboro All-Star Race – 05.19.24

By
Official Release
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HAMLIN SECOND IN ALL-STAR RACE
Bubba Wallace drives through field from All-Star Open to top-10

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (May 19, 2024) – Denny Hamlin had an impressive run to a runner-up finish at the annual All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday evening to lead Toyota.

Bubba Wallace drove through the field as his runner-up finish in the All-Star Open qualified him for the All-Star Race. The 23XI Racing driver drove from 19th to sixth at the finish.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
North Wilkesboro Speedway
All-Star Race – 125 miles, 200 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Joey Logano*
2nd, DENNY HAMLIN
3rd, Chris Buescher*
4th, Kyle Larson*
5th, Ryan Blaney*
6th, BUBBA WALLACE
12th, MARTIN TRUEX JR.
13th, TY GIBBS
14th, TYLER REDDICK
17th, CHRISTOPHER BELL
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 Mavis Tire Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 2nd

Could fresh tires have made a difference?

“I don’t know. I needed more of an advantage to pass for sure. I would run to him, and then you couldn’t pass. I would lose a little bit of air there, and I would try to give my car a break and then run to him again – just have to be so much faster to get around. Hats off to the track, NASCAR and Goodyear for giving it a try. Hopefully, we learned something here for future short tracks. I hate it for our whole Mavis Tire team, but at least we had an exciting fight in the end – something to talk about. (laughter).”

BUBBA WALLACE, No. 23 Alltroo Toyota Camry XSE, 23XI Racing

Finishing Position: 6th

The battle you had to stay on the lead lap was epic. Can you tell us about it?

“That is what you have to do. You have to survive. We were just okay. It was a good rally for the team. Just didn’t have what it took to get up there. I thought we were pretty good. I was like here we go – the 5 (Kyle Larson) and the 23 charging through the field again, just kind of stalled out and our stuff got burnt up. It was a fun battle with the 12 (Ryan Blaney). I wanted to act like I was mad at him, but I wasn’t. It was fun.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

The Ultimate Guide to Chevrolet Cars: Detailed Specifications

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SM
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Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Chevrolet has been a leading brand in the automotive industry for more than a century, with a rich history and a strong reputation for producing high-quality, reliable vehicles. From its humble beginnings in 1911, the brand has evolved into a global powerhouse, offering a diverse range of cars, trucks, and SUVs that cater to a variety of needs and preferences. With such a vast lineup of vehicles, it can be overwhelming for potential buyers to navigate the specifications, features, and options available. 

Whether you are a die-hard Chevy fan or simply in the market for a new car, this guide will serve as a comprehensive resource to help you understand and compare the various options available from Chevrolet. For those specifically searching for cars for sale in Enid, OK, you’ll find a wide range of Chevrolet models to suit your needs. So buckle up and get ready to dive into the world of Chevrolet cars, as we take you on a journey through their detailed specifications.

Engine options for top performance:

When it comes to achieving top performance in Chevrolet cars, choosing the right engine option is crucial. Chevrolet offers a range of powerful engines designed to deliver exceptional performance on the road. From the renowned small-block V8 engines to the advanced turbocharged options, there is a perfect match for every driving enthusiast. The V8 engines, known for their impressive horsepower and torque, provide exhilarating acceleration and a thrilling driving experience. 

For those seeking a balance between performance and fuel efficiency, the turbocharged engines combine power and efficiency seamlessly. With innovative technologies and meticulous engineering, Chevrolet continues to push the boundaries of performance, ensuring that drivers can enjoy a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience behind the wheel of their Chevrolet car.

Innovative technology for enhanced driving:

Chevrolet is committed to equipping its cars with innovative technology to enhance the driving experience. One notable feature is the advanced infotainment system, providing drivers with seamless connectivity and entertainment options. With features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, drivers can easily access their favorite apps, music, and navigation right from the car’s touchscreen display. 

Additionally, Chevrolet offers advanced driver-assistance technologies to prioritize safety on the road. Features like lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control work together to provide an extra layer of protection and help prevent potential accidents. 

For those looking for a heightened driving experience, Chevrolet also offers performance-enhancing technologies such as magnetic ride control and sports-tuned suspension systems, allowing drivers to truly feel connected to the road. With a wide range of innovative technologies, Chevrolet cars are designed to enhance every aspect of the driving experience, making each journey comfortable, connected, and ultimately enjoyable.

Safety features for peace of mind:

Chevrolet understands that safety is a top priority for drivers, which is why their cars come equipped with a variety of advanced safety features for peace of mind on the road. One notable feature is the comprehensive airbag system, which includes front, side, and curtain airbags to protect occupants in the event of a collision. 

Chevrolet also offers a range of driver-assistance technologies, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera, to help drivers stay aware of their surroundings and avoid potential accidents. 

Additionally, Chevrolet vehicles are built with high-strength steel frames and advanced structural designs to provide enhanced crash protection. With these safety features, Chevrolet ensures that drivers and their passengers can feel confident and secure, knowing that their well-being is a top priority.

Customizable design for personalization:

Chevrolet also recognizes the importance of personalization when it comes to the design of their cars. With a focus on customizable options, Chevrolet allows drivers to truly make their vehicles their own. Whether it’s choosing from a wide range of exterior colors, selecting different wheel designs, or opting for various interior trims and upholstery options, Chevrolet offers a plethora of choices to suit individual preferences. 

Additionally, Chevrolet provides optional packages and accessories that allow drivers to further customize their vehicles, from adding sporty accents to enhancing convenience features. This level of personalization ensures that every Chevrolet owner can create a car that reflects their unique style and taste, making their driving experience truly one-of-a-kind.

Impressive fuel efficiency ratings:

Chevrolet vehicles are known for their impressive fuel efficiency ratings, providing drivers with a cost-effective and environmentally friendly driving experience. With advancements in technology and engineering, Chevrolet has made significant strides in improving fuel efficiency across their vehicle lineup. From compact sedans to hybrid models, Chevrolet offers a range of options that prioritize fuel efficiency without compromising performance. 

These innovative designs, combined with aerodynamic features and efficient powertrain technologies, contribute to Chevrolet’s commitment to sustainable driving solutions. Whether you’re commuting in the city or embarking on a long road trip, Chevrolet’s impressive fuel efficiency ratings ensure that you can go the distance while minimizing your carbon footprint.

Conclusion: 

Chevrolet continues to be a trusted and reliable brand in the automotive industry, with a wide range of models to suit the needs and preferences of various drivers. From the fuel-efficient Spark to the powerful Silverado, each Chevrolet car offers impressive performance, advanced technology, and a sleek design. 

With this ultimate guide, you now have a detailed understanding of the specifications of various Chevrolet models and can make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing your next car. Drive with confidence and style in a Chevrolet.

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